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	<title>Not Made Of Money &#187; Cooking At Home</title>
	<atom:link href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/category/cooking-at-home/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog</link>
	<description>Save Money - A Personal Finance Blog By A Husband And Wife</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:21:49 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6</generator>
	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>Best Budget Meals for November</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/10/best-budget-meals-for-november.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/10/best-budget-meals-for-november.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:22:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Saving Money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/?p=741</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Trying to come up with budget-friendly meals is a given for any family in a budget.  However, November meals have to be more than cost-effective.  November meal planning requires you to come up with ideas that battle the cold of winter, nourish your family, and still allow you to stay within your food [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Trying to come up with budget-friendly meals is a given for any family in a budget.  However, November meals have to be more than cost-effective.  November meal planning requires you to come up with ideas that battle the cold of winter, nourish your family, and still allow you to stay within your food budget.  </p>
<p>Check out these great meal ideas to add a little zest to your November evenings:</p>
<p>Sloppy Joes – Nothing is as hearty and satisfying as good old-fashioned sloppy joe sandwiches.  Simply mix the sloppy joe seasoning with some browned ground hamburger.  Then, build your sandwich on hamburger or hot dog buns.  Even your pickiest family member will love sloppy joe night.</p>
<p>Home-made Quesadillas – Normally enjoyed at many different restaurants, quesadillas are easy to make and customize in the comfort of your own kitchen.  Begin by layering cheese and browned pieces of chicken or beef into a flour tortilla.  Add peppers, onions, or spices to your own tastes.  Then warm the concoction in your oven until the cheese is melted.  If these tasty treats don’t keep the cold away, nothing will.  </p>
<p>Baked Spuds – Oversized-potatoes dressed with bacon bits, cheese, and any other goodies that you like can be used to create a warm, comforting dinner.  You can buy large potatoes inexpensively during almost any season.  Then, choose your toppings according to the grocery stores’ sales.  Bake the potato, split it open with a knife and heap on the extras.  </p>
<p>Spaghetti &#038; Meatballs – What family doesn’t love pasta?  Spaghetti is an easy to make, low-budget favorite on everyone’s list.  Simply boil pasta to build a base for this Italian entrée.  Roll tiny hamburger patties into small balls and brown them to add meatballs to your meal.  Now all you need is a jar of your family’s favorite sauce, bought during a sale, of course.  </p>
<p>Tacos – Another dinner idea that allows you to put your family’s own spin on your dinner plans is making tacos.  Choose hard or soft shells depending upon your preference, or price.  Brown hamburger and add all of the fixings you like.  If your family enjoys things on the spicier side of life, don’t forget to add a packet of taco seasoning to your meat.  </p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/07/budget-meal-recipe.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Budget Meal Recipe">Budget Meal Recipe</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/frugal-food-ideas-that-are-fast-and-inexpensive.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Food Ideas That Are Fast and Inexpensive">Frugal Food Ideas That Are Fast and Inexpensive</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/11/disney-princess-table-chair-tea-party-set.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Disney Princess Table &#038; Chair Tea Party Set">Disney Princess Table &#038; Chair Tea Party Set</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/10/self-heating-meals.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Self Heating Meals">Self Heating Meals</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/06/saving-money-when-you-cook-at-home.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Saving Money When You Cook At Home">Saving Money When You Cook At Home</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Five Frugal Sandwich Ideas</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/10/five-frugal-sandwich-ideas.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/10/five-frugal-sandwich-ideas.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 18 Oct 2008 10:37:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/?p=718</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ photo credit: VirtualErn
Sandwiches make up a strong part of many frugal diets.  When weather is warm, sandwiches are an easy way to make dinner without firing up the stove.  When colder weather strikes, a sturdy sandwich is a wonderful comfort during lunches.  Who wants to leave work to brave the brisk [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20688578@N00/2945099437/" title="NY Cafe &#038; Deli - Lunch" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2945099437_1816e5e62f_m.jpg" alt="NY Cafe &#038; Deli - Lunch" border="0" /></a><br /><small><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" title="Attribution License" target="_blank"><img src="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/photo_dropper/images/cc.png" alt="Creative Commons License" border="0" width="16" height="16" align="absmiddle" /></a> <a href="http://www.photodropper.com/photos/" target="_blank">photo</a> credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20688578@N00/2945099437/" title="VirtualErn" target="_blank">VirtualErn</a></small></p>
<p>Sandwiches make up a strong part of many frugal diets.  When weather is warm, sandwiches are an easy way to make dinner without firing up the stove.  When colder weather strikes, a sturdy sandwich is a wonderful comfort during lunches.  Who wants to leave work to brave the brisk cold of winter?  At any time of year, being able to build a frugal, but tasty, sandwich is a must.  </p>
<p>Lunchmeat – Lunchmeat sandwiches are a classic example of a great sandwich that isn’t expensive to make.  Bologna, ham, turkey are all options in this simple fare.  Dress it with your family’s favorite tastes, such as mayonnaise or mustard, and your sandwich is ready.  </p>
<p>Egg Salad – Egg salad sandwiches are perfect when you have time to make the filling for your sandwiches ahead of time.  Although it takes a little time to boil and peel the eggs, the extra effort is well worth it.  Cube the eggs, combine with mustard, and salt.  Sweet pickle juice is a nice addition as well.  </p>
<p>Chicken Salad – Slightly more robust than the egg salad sandwich, a chicken salad sandwich is made much the same way.  Using up leftover chicken is a great way to save some money, but you could also purchase canned chicken meat when it&#8217;s on sale.  I&#8217;ve found that the store brand Target sells is quite good - and a lot less expensive than the &#8220;name&#8221; brand canned chicken.  If you want to give your sandwich a more gourmet flair, try adding grapes to your chicken salad.  </p>
<p>Grilled Cheese – Few sandwiches ward off the winter doldrums like a steaming grilled cheese sandwich.  To add a little variety you can experiment with different cheeses.  The creamiest grilled cheese I’ve ever had, however, was made with Velveeta.  </p>
<p>BLT – BLT’s are quick and easy to prepare, but still very satisfying.   Cool lettuce and tomato slices combine with warm bacon to provide a tried and true lunch alternative.  Don’t forget to toast your bread to make your sandwich cut easier.  Health-conscious families may choose to use turkey bacon, rather than pork.</p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/05/a-lunch-for-every-day-of-the-work-week.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: A Lunch for Every Day of the Work Week">A Lunch for Every Day of the Work Week</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/02/frugal-ideas-beauty-tips-to-kitchen-decorating.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Ideas - Beauty Tips to Kitchen Decorating">Frugal Ideas - Beauty Tips to Kitchen Decorating</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/05/frugal-ideas-to-start-the-week.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Ideas To Start The Week">Frugal Ideas To Start The Week</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/frugal-food-ideas-that-are-fast-and-inexpensive.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Food Ideas That Are Fast and Inexpensive">Frugal Food Ideas That Are Fast and Inexpensive</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/festival-of-frugality-57-is-up.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Festival of Frugality #57 Is Up">Festival of Frugality #57 Is Up</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How to Organize Your Pantry Stockpile</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/09/organize-pantry-stockpile-food-clutte.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/09/organize-pantry-stockpile-food-clutte.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:04:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>
<category>food</category><category>organize</category><category>pantry</category><category>stockpile</category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/?p=693</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a huge advocate of stocking up on your favorite grocery items while they’re on sale.  I’ve been known to buy crazy quantities of paper goods, canned or jar goods, and even meat, if I have enough room in my freezer to hold it.  A good sale [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a huge advocate of stocking up on your favorite grocery items while they’re on sale.  I’ve been known to buy crazy quantities of paper goods, canned or jar goods, and even meat, if I have enough room in my freezer to hold it.  A good sale can allow you to insulate yourself from rising grocery prices, at least for awhile, and stay within a tight grocery budget.  </p>
<p>Unfortunately, stockpiling groceries can lead to its own unique set of problems.  Where will you put all of your bounty?  How will you arrange it so that you can find it when you need it?  In order to reap all of the rewards of your careful shopping, you will need to have a pretty strong organizational plan.  Here are a few tips to help you keep your pantry in tip-top shape:</p>
<p>Keep lighter items in high places.  Rolls of paper towels or packages of pasta are perfect for storing on those hard-to-reach shelves in your pantry.  You don’t need to reach them everyday, and, if you drop one, you won’t smash a toe.  </p>
<p>Place duplicate items together in a row.  You don’t necessarily need to see every can of green beans or jar of pasta sauce.  Instead, place these items in a row to the back of your pantry shelves.  Then, you can place the next type of food product next to it.  Different varieties hidden behind other products make it hard to keep tabs on your pantry’s inventory.</p>
<p>Keep regularly-used products within arm’s reach.  Can you imagine what a pain it would be to have to drag out your step-stool each time you need to reach staples like flour or breakfast cereal?  Make your life easier by keeping the products that you use everyday in a location that you can get to quickly. </p>
<p>Consider who uses your different pantry items as you organize the pantry.  Keeping cereal in a location that is easy for youngsters to reach can help speed your morning routines.  In addition, if your children are old enough to help with meal preparation, you can empower them to do more by storing supplies for regular dinner menus in an easy-to-find spot.  </p>
<p>Mount a dry erase board in your pantry.  One of the worst parts of going to the pantry to get something is the realization that you’ve run out.  Imagine a family barbecue where you discover that you’re out of barbecue sauce.  A simply family rule requiring anyone taking the last of something out of the pantry to write the name of the item on the board will make it easy to keep your pantry stocked.  </p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/03/pantry-stockpiling-a-method-to-lower-food-expenses.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pantry Stockpiling - A Method To Lower Food Expenses">Pantry Stockpiling - A Method To Lower Food Expenses</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/01/three-easy-steps-to-creating-a-well-stocked-pantry.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Three Easy Steps to Creating a Well-Stocked Pantry">Three Easy Steps to Creating a Well-Stocked Pantry</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/04/why-your-cluttered-pantry-is-costing-you-money-and-how-to-fix-it.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Why Your Cluttered Pantry is Costing You Money - And How To Fix it">Why Your Cluttered Pantry is Costing You Money - And How To Fix it</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/saving-time-in-the-kitchen-organizing-the-pantry.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Saving Time In The Kitchen - Organizing The Pantry">Saving Time In The Kitchen - Organizing The Pantry</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/save-money-101" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Save Money 101">Save Money 101</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Three Key Ways to Motivate Yourself to Cook at Home</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/07/three-key-ways-to-motivate-yourself-to-cook-at-home.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/07/three-key-ways-to-motivate-yourself-to-cook-at-home.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:23:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/?p=643</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ photo credit: edseloh
Cooking at home always seems like a good idea when you’re charting out your monthly budget.  You know that cooking at home is cheaper than eating out, and you probably even like the idea of sitting down to a family meal together.  The problem comes into play when it’s 6 [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27119975@N00/2621492632/" title="Dinner on the deck" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2621492632_31829ce193.jpg" alt="Dinner on the deck" border="0" /></a><br /><small><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" title="Attribution-ShareAlike License" target="_blank"><img src="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/photo_dropper/images/cc.png" alt="Creative Commons License" border="0" width="16" height="16" align="absmiddle" /></a> <a href="http://www.photodropper.com/photos/" target="_blank">photo</a> credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27119975@N00/2621492632/" title="edseloh" target="_blank">edseloh</a></small></p>
<p>Cooking at home always seems like a good idea when you’re charting out your monthly budget.  You know that cooking at home is cheaper than eating out, and you probably even like the idea of sitting down to a family meal together.  The problem comes into play when it’s 6 PM, and you haven’t even started dinner yet.  How do you resist that temptation to just gather everyone up and shuttle them off to McDonald’s or Applebee’s?  </p>
<p>The first key to keeping up your motivation to cook at home is to have a plan.  The worst question to be stuck with on your way home from work is “What am I going to fix for dinner?”  You can avoid this dilemma by creating a menu plan for the entire week all at once.  Create your plan on Sunday (or whatever works for your family’s schedule).  Then, shop for the entire plan.  Now, it will be easier for you to go home and cook dinner than it is to start all over again and decide where you’ll go out to eat.</p>
<p>The next key to motivating yourself to cook at home is to prep as much of your dinner as you can in the morning before you leave for work.  No one wants to work eight hours and then come home to prepare a meal that will take two hours to cook.  However, if you know you already put that casserole together and that all you have to do is pop it into the oven, cooking dinner at home seems much more hassle-free.  </p>
<p>Finally, one other key to staying motivated to cook at home is to remove the temptation to spend extra money on eating out.  Once you decide what your allowance for food is for that week, place that amount of cash into an envelope.  Take that envelope with you and use that money when you purchase your week’s groceries.  Now, whenever you’re stricken with the temptation to eat out that week you can simply look into the envelope and see if there’s enough money to eat out there.  If there’s not, you know you can’t eat out.</p>
<p>Often, many people choose to eat out because it just seems so much easier than cooking at home.  However, if you plan and prepare you meals, you can remove, or at least minimize, a lot of the obstacles to cooking at home.  In no time at all, you’ll wonder why you ever preferred to eat out.</p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/frugal-food-ideas-for-1312007.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Food Ideas For 1/31/2007">Frugal Food Ideas For 1/31/2007</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/11/saving-money-a-look-back.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Saving Money - A Look Back">Saving Money - A Look Back</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/03/a-review-of-money-saving-ideas.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: A Review of Money Saving Ideas">A Review of Money Saving Ideas</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/06/saving-money-when-you-cook-at-home.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Saving Money When You Cook At Home">Saving Money When You Cook At Home</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/03/cook-your-way-to-a-healthy-budget.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Cook Your Way to a Healthy Budget">Cook Your Way to a Healthy Budget</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Five Ways to Save When Grilling Out</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/06/five-ways-to-save-when-grilling-out.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/06/five-ways-to-save-when-grilling-out.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:01:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Frugal]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/?p=633</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ photo credit: thebusybrain
Half the fun of summertime is cooking outside for your friends and family.  After months of hunkering down in your house to avoid bad weather, the relaxed atmosphere of grill-side eating is the perfect way to spend an evening.  Unfortunately, grilling out can be expensive if you aren’t careful.  [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26176646@N04/2574639774/" title="Country Style Pork Ribs" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2574639774_f14b358978_m.jpg" alt="Country Style Pork Ribs" border="0" /></a><br /><small><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" title="Attribution License" target="_blank"><img src="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/photo_dropper/images/cc.png" alt="Creative Commons License" border="0" width="16" height="16" align="absmiddle" /></a> <a href="http://www.photodropper.com/photos/" target="_blank">photo</a> credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26176646@N04/2574639774/" title="thebusybrain" target="_blank">thebusybrain</a></small></p>
<p>Half the fun of summertime is cooking outside for your friends and family.  After months of hunkering down in your house to avoid bad weather, the relaxed atmosphere of grill-side eating is the perfect way to spend an evening.  Unfortunately, grilling out can be expensive if you aren’t careful.  Try one of these easy ways to save while enjoying a cookout.  </p>
<p><strong>Be open to more than steaks for dinner</strong>.  Hamburgers and hot dogs have long been a vital part of cooking on the grill.  However, if you had healthier thoughts in mind, chicken is always a cost-effective meat choice.  Being flexible will allow you to shop for a great price, as well as a great taste.  </p>
<p><strong>Shop ahead of time</strong>.  If you plan ahead, you can take advantage of sale prices at your local grocery store or wholesale club.  Freeze meats that won’t be used right away.  Other items like ketchup and relish will keep nicely in your pantry as long as you don’t open them until they’re needed. </p>
<p><strong>Don’t forget to gather supplies for your grill, too</strong>.  Whether your grill uses gas or charcoal, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty on hand for the big day.  Last minute shopping doesn’t leave a lot of room to comparison shop.  </p>
<p><strong>Save money on bread products and dessert cakes by visiting a bakery outlet</strong>.  The products found here are on the very edge of their usage dates, so they’re very cheap.  This is one time, however, when you shouldn’t shop way in advance.</p>
<p><strong>Recruit help for big get-togethers</strong>.  Having a massive Fourth of July or Memorial Day party is a blast, but the expensive of feeding all of those people may be overwhelming for one family to shoulder alone.  Ask everyone to bring something to lighten the burden.  Take care to be specific when you’re making your assignments; you don’t want to end up with four potato salads and no dessert.</p>
<p><strong>Forget expensive marinades or rubs</strong>.  Instead, borrow a book or two from the library and make your own.  The best part of this tip is that you get to tweak the recipes to suit your family’s tastes and save money at the same time.</p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/06/morning-reading-roundup-save-in-the-bathroom-get-rid-of-junk-and-25-ways-to-save.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Morning Reading Roundup - Save $ In The Bathroom, Get Rid Of Junk, and 25 Ways To Save">Morning Reading Roundup - Save $ In The Bathroom, Get Rid Of Junk, and 25 Ways To Save</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/frugal-food-ideas-for-1312007.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Food Ideas For 1/31/2007">Frugal Food Ideas For 1/31/2007</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/07/ways-to-save-money.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Ways To Save Money">Ways To Save Money</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/11/more-ideas-for-saving.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: More Ideas For Saving">More Ideas For Saving</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/09/weekend-roundup-super-soakers-on-clearance-fun.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Weekend Roundup - Super Soakers on Clearance Fun">Weekend Roundup - Super Soakers on Clearance Fun</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Can a Freezer Lower the Cost of Your Groceries?</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/05/can-a-freezer-lower-the-cost-of-your-groceries.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/05/can-a-freezer-lower-the-cost-of-your-groceries.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2008 11:50:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Frugal]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[General Finance]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[freezer]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[grocery cost]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[meal planning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[save money food]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/05/can-a-freezer-lower-the-cost-of-your-groceries.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ photo credit: jen dunlap
Saving on groceries has become a very hot topic lately.  With the rising cost of gas prices, families are faced with spending more on transportation.  That extra money has to come from somewhere, so trimming the other areas of your budget becomes very important very quickly. 
You probably already [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44412938@N00/7081341/" title="DSC02135" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/7/7081341_e77c38cec2_m.jpg" alt="DSC02135" border="0" /></a><br /><small><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/" title="Attribution-NoDerivs License" target="_blank"><img src="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/photo_dropper/images/cc.png" alt="Creative Commons License" border="0" width="16" height="16" align="absmiddle" /></a> <a href="http://www.photodropper.com/photos/" target="_blank">photo</a> credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44412938@N00/7081341/" title="jen dunlap" target="_blank">jen dunlap</a></small></p>
<p>Saving on groceries has become a very hot topic lately.  With the rising cost of gas prices, families are faced with spending more on transportation.  That extra money has to come from somewhere, so trimming the other areas of your budget becomes very important very quickly. </p>
<p>You probably already know purchasing large quantities of non-perishable items while they’re on sale will help you save on groceries.  But, if you have a large enough freezer you can apply the same principle to more perishable food items.  Here are just a few items that can be frozen and thawed as you are ready to use them.  </p>
<p><strong>Meat Products</strong> – As long as everything is sealed correctly, you can save meat for quite awhile.  Pay special attention to sales on bacon, pre-packaged hamburgers, and chicken. </p>
<p><strong>Frozen Dinners</strong> – Although those little box dinners are pretty expensive, they are also very convenient.  You can offset some of the expense by waiting until they are on sale and stocking up on them.  They’ll stack nicely in your freezer and store easily.  </p>
<p><strong>Bread Products</strong> – Loaves of bread and buns freeze very well.  If you leave plenty of time for them to thaw, you can make sandwiches and hot dogs much cheaper at your next family barbecue.<br />
<strong><br />
Food You’ve Prepared</strong> – It’s often much easier to make a larger quantity of your favorite recipes than it is to make the recipe twice.  So, if mozzarella cheese is on sale, make two or three pans of lasagna.  You can freeze the extra pans and you only have to clean up the kitchen once.  </p>
<p><strong>Frozen Vegetables</strong> – Stock up on frozen vegetables when they’re at their cheapest.  These versions of veggies often have less salt than their canned compatriots, so they’re much healthier for your family.  Pull them out as you need them and enjoy them all year long. </p>
<p>Stocking up your frozen pantry can add up to real savings in your grocery expenses.  And with an enormous bounty of food at your fingertips, you can also make fewer trips to the grocery store.  You’ll save on food and gas all in one fell swoop.</p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/03/65th-festival-of-frugality-some-gems-of-wisdom.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: 65th Festival of Frugality - Some Gems Of Wisdom">65th Festival of Frugality - Some Gems Of Wisdom</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/07/saving-money-on-groceries.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Saving Money On Groceries">Saving Money On Groceries</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/frugal-food-ideas-for-1312007.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Food Ideas For 1/31/2007">Frugal Food Ideas For 1/31/2007</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/08/saving-50-or-more-on-groceries.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Saving 50% or More On Groceries">Saving 50% or More On Groceries</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/05/frugal-topics-for-may-3-2007.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Topics For May 3, 2007">Frugal Topics For May 3, 2007</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How Joining a Food Co-op Can Benefit You</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/05/how-joining-a-food-co-op-can-benefit-you.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/05/how-joining-a-food-co-op-can-benefit-you.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 May 2008 11:40:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Saving Money]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[food co-op]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[grocery bill]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/05/how-joining-a-food-co-op-can-benefit-you.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A food co-op, or cooperative, is a creative way to get the most out of your grocery budget.  Some people join a food co-op to save money, others join to help support local growers, and, finally, other join to improve the quality of the food they feed their families.  A quick review of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A food co-op, or cooperative, is a creative way to get the most out of your grocery budget.  Some people join a food co-op to save money, others join to help support local growers, and, finally, other join to improve the quality of the food they feed their families.  A quick review of the basic structure of a food co-op will help you understand how one could work for you and your family.</p>
<p>A food co-op is comprised of a group of members who govern the co-op themselves.  Each member pays a predetermined fee when they join that entitles them to the benefits of the co-op.  That fee entitles each member to have an equal vote in how the co-op is run and organized.</p>
<p>By combining the purchasing power of the members of the co-op, the co-op is able to purchase food and products in the same manner that your local grocery store purchases things.  It purchases them in bulk amounts and has them delivered to the co-op’s facility for sorting and storing.  </p>
<p>The co-op’s ability to purchase quality food at a great price is what makes membership to a food co-op so advantageous for its members.  The members can place regular orders from the co-op for their grocery items.  Some co-ops only sell products to members, while others sell at a discounted price to members.  In either case, the member is able to get a better product for a better price than he would be able to get trying to purchase directly from a supplier on his own.  </p>
<p>Once the member has placed his grocery order, the co-op will pull his product from its storage facility.  The co-op may have delivery services available or the member may need to make his own arrangement to pick up the order.  Sometimes, the window for order pick up is rather limited, but that minor inconvenience will be forgotten as you enjoy the benefits of the co-op.</p>
<p>Finding a food co-op in your area is relatively easy.  A quick internet search can reveal a list of co-ops that might be suitable for your use.  Look over the rules of service for the co-op and you can choose one that will work for you and your family.  </p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/06/find-grocery-savings-in-your-own-backyard.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Find Grocery Savings in Your Own Backyard">Find Grocery Savings in Your Own Backyard</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/02/will-florida-end-property-taxes.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Will Florida End Property Taxes?">Will Florida End Property Taxes?</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/03/five-good-uses-for-your-tax-refund.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Five Good Uses for Your Tax Refund">Five Good Uses for Your Tax Refund</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/07/budget-meal-recipe.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Budget Meal Recipe">Budget Meal Recipe</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/04/be-frugal-not-cheap.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Be Frugal Not Cheap!">Be Frugal Not Cheap!</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>A Lunch for Every Day of the Work Week</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/05/a-lunch-for-every-day-of-the-work-week.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/05/a-lunch-for-every-day-of-the-work-week.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2008 12:31:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Saving Money]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[bag lunch]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[cooking]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[grocery costs]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[save money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/05/a-lunch-for-every-day-of-the-work-week.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There’s little doubt that you can save a lot of money on food by preparing and bringing your own lunch to work each day rather than eating out.  The problem with bringing a lunch from home is often just coming up with menu ideas.  No one wants to eat the same boring sandwich [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There’s little doubt that you can save a lot of money on food by preparing and bringing your own lunch to work each day rather than eating out.  The problem with bringing a lunch from home is often just coming up with menu ideas.  No one wants to eat the same boring sandwich everyday.  </p>
<p>Coming up with a solid list of lunch ideas is a sure-fire way to make planning your daily lunches easier.  Grocery shopping will be simpler, too, if you already have an idea what you will need for lunches each week.  Here are a few ideas to help you get started on your menu list:</p>
<p>Salad – Try to make one day each week a salad day.  It’s a healthy lunch choice that is easy on the pocketbook, too.  If you feel bored with the traditional green salad, you can mix it up with another type.  </p>
<p>Soup – Soup of any type is always a great choice for a work lunch.  You can make a large batch, freeze it into smaller containers, and thaw one each week for your lunches.  Like the salad, you can change soup up by switching to a different kind.</p>
<p>A Sandwich – Ok, you don’t want to resort to making a sandwich all the time, but having one once a week is certainly palatable.  Make sure to take your condiments with you so that you can add them to your sandwich at lunch time.  Waiting until you’re ready to eat before you add them will help you avoid that dreaded soggy bread problem.</p>
<p>Pasta – Pasta is another one of those foods that you can cook in large amounts and then take a little to work with you at a time.  Try cooking the pasta noodles (whatever shape you like) ahead of time and adding canned sauce to it at lunch time.  </p>
<p>Leftovers – As you’re planning your weekly meals, plan to make too much for one of your evening meals.  Then, you’ll have leftovers for your lunch.  Imagine how welcome a slice of last night’s pot roast, paired with a helping of your favorite vegetables, will be in the middle of a stressful day.  </p>
<p>Use these ideas as a jumping off point to make your own weekly lunch menu.  Working some variety into your lunch routine will help to keep you from getting bored with taking your own lunch to work each day.  You’ll be less tempted to give into the urge to eat lunch at a restaurant and find it easier to stick to your new meal plan.  </p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/02/living-the-frugal-life-when-your-friends-don%e2%80%99t.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Living the Frugal Life When Your Friends Don’t">Living the Frugal Life When Your Friends Don’t</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/09/frugal-friday-thoughts-frugal-school-lunches.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Friday Thoughts | Frugal School Lunches">Frugal Friday Thoughts | Frugal School Lunches</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/07/ways-to-save-money.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Ways To Save Money">Ways To Save Money</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/06/keeping-the-kids-busy-over-the-summer-host-your-own-summer-camp.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Keeping The Kids Busy Over The Summer - Host Your Own Summer Camp">Keeping The Kids Busy Over The Summer - Host Your Own Summer Camp</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/06/carnival-of-personal-finance-2nd-anniversary-edition.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Carnival of Personal Finance - 2nd Anniversary Edition">Carnival of Personal Finance - 2nd Anniversary Edition</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Cook Your Way to a Healthy Budget</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/03/cook-your-way-to-a-healthy-budget.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/03/cook-your-way-to-a-healthy-budget.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:44:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/03/cook-your-way-to-a-healthy-budget.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You’ve probably heard lots of times that eating at home is much better for you than eating out.  The large portions offered at restaurants encourage you to eat too much.  And the rich glazes and sauces that accompany restaurant meals add unnecessary sodium and fat to your meals.  There’s no doubt that [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You’ve probably heard lots of times that eating at home is much better for you than eating out.  The large portions offered at restaurants encourage you to eat too much.  And the rich glazes and sauces that accompany restaurant meals add unnecessary sodium and fat to your meals.  There’s no doubt that you could make better choices for yourself than the restaurant’s staff are making for you.  However, did you realize that eating at home is also better for your financial health?</p>
<p>Preparing your own food at home is much more cost-effective than a meal at a fancy restaurant.  Consider the average cost of a restaurant meal for a family of four: an appetizer ($8), two children’s entrees ($7 each), two adult’s entrees ($12), and four drinks ($2 each).  Without adding a dessert or a tip, you’ve already spent $54, and that wasn’t even a fancy restaurant!</p>
<p>Now consider the cost of a meal at the grocery store: greens for a salad ($4), a package of chicken breasts to bake ($9), a can of mixed vegetables ($1), a few potatoes ($3 for a bag), and four drinks ($.50 each).  Mixed with a few spices you already have in your pantry, these ingredients only set you back $19.  You’ve probably even got some leftovers to recycle into tomorrow’s lunch.  </p>
<p>Besides saving you over $30 for each meal, you can rest secure in the knowledge that any meal you prepare for your family has been made with their best interests in mind.  If your husband needs to cut back on the sodium in his diet, you’ll be able to find other ways to season his dinner.  If your child is allergic to dairy products, you’ll know to find a substitute for any dairy required by your recipe.  The restaurant cook who has to prepare food for hundreds of people each day will not be able to make a special effort for your husband and child.</p>
<p>Overall, cooking most of your meals at home just makes good sense for families.  You’ll find that your budget dollars designated for food will go much further at the grocery store than at your local restaurant.  And who would pay more attention to your family’s dietary needs than you?  </p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/frugal-food-ideas-that-are-fast-and-inexpensive.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Food Ideas That Are Fast and Inexpensive">Frugal Food Ideas That Are Fast and Inexpensive</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/frugal-food-ideas-for-1312007.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Food Ideas For 1/31/2007">Frugal Food Ideas For 1/31/2007</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/06/2812.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: $28.12">$28.12</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/11/my-secret-to-managing-my-thanksgiving-cooking.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: My Secret To Managing My Thanksgiving Cooking">My Secret To Managing My Thanksgiving Cooking</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/07/three-key-ways-to-motivate-yourself-to-cook-at-home.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Three Key Ways to Motivate Yourself to Cook at Home">Three Key Ways to Motivate Yourself to Cook at Home</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Use Leftovers to Slash Your Grocery Expenses</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/02/use-leftovers-to-slash-your-grocery-expenses.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/02/use-leftovers-to-slash-your-grocery-expenses.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:00:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[food expenses]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[grocery budget]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[leftovers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/02/use-leftovers-to-slash-your-grocery-expenses.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Grocery expenses can add up quickly, especially if you’re feeding a growing family.  Although you want to save on food for you and your family, you don’t want to cut nutritional corners.  So how do you prepare healthy meals and still keep your expenses under control?  
If you plan ahead and incorporate [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Grocery expenses can add up quickly, especially if you’re feeding a growing family.  Although you want to save on food for you and your family, you don’t want to cut nutritional corners.  So how do you prepare healthy meals and still keep your expenses under control?  </p>
<p>If you plan ahead and incorporate leftovers into your meal plans, you’ll be able to save money and know that your family is eating well.  There are several ways to work leftovers into your family’s meals.</p>
<p>v	Use last night’s leftovers as an ingredient in today’s meal.  For instance, if you had baked chicken for dinner last night, simply chop the leftover chicken into bite-sized pieces.  They’ll provide the main ingredient in chicken salad sandwiches for lunch.<br />
v	Warm and serve leftovers as they are.  Although no one enjoys eating the same entrée several days in a row, side dishes are great candidates for re-serving.  The leftover green beans from one dinner could be kept in the fridge until the next dinner.  Since there are other dishes mixed with this side dish, its repetition won’t stand out the same as a repeated entrée would.<br />
v	Swap leftovers after potluck meals.  If you and your extended family combine dishes for big meals, don’t let anyone go home with the dish he brought with him.  He’ll appreciate the variety the swapped dish will bring to his meals.   He might even be inspired to try to prepare the new dish himself later.<br />
v	Have a regular leftover night.  Maybe on Saturday night, after you’ve spent the day catching up on errands and other responsibilities, you’ll be too spent to spend the evening cooking.  Try making a rule that on Saturday nights everyone eats the leftovers out of the fridge.  Let your family members choose the leftover they want and enjoy.  You’ll empty the fridge and save on preparation time.</p>
<p>Once you’ve started working leftovers into your regular meals, you’ll start finding lots of ways to use them.  Perhaps the biscuits you served with dinner could be covered with gravy for breakfast the next morning.  Leftover vegetables could be added to a stew.  The possibilities are endless.  </p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/06/saving-s-at-the-grocery-store.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Saving $$$$&#8217;s At The Grocery Store">Saving $$$$&#8217;s At The Grocery Store</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/02/the-january-grocery-expenses-close-but-still-over-budget.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: The January Grocery Expenses - Close But Still Over Budget">The January Grocery Expenses - Close But Still Over Budget</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/grocery-budget-makeover-i-saved-25-at-the-grocery-store-today.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Grocery Budget Makeover - I saved $25 At the Grocery Store Today">Grocery Budget Makeover - I saved $25 At the Grocery Store Today</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/meeting-grocery-budget-goals-almost-there.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Meeting Grocery Budget Goals - Almost There">Meeting Grocery Budget Goals - Almost There</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/02/saving-on-food-expenses.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Saving On Food Expenses">Saving On Food Expenses</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Dinner Ideas on the Cheap</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/02/dinner-ideas-on-the-cheap.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/02/dinner-ideas-on-the-cheap.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:35:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[cheap]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[frugal food]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[grocery]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/02/dinner-ideas-on-the-cheap.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When you’re trying to cut down on your family’s grocery expenses good, inexpensive dinner ideas are a necessity.  Ramen noodles and rice are cheap, but do you really want your family to live on those for any length of time?  That hardly sounds like a nutritious way to feed the people you love. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When you’re trying to cut down on your family’s grocery expenses good, inexpensive dinner ideas are a necessity.  Ramen noodles and rice are cheap, but do you really want your family to live on those for any length of time?  That hardly sounds like a nutritious way to feed the people you love.  Fortunately, there are some healthy alternatives that won’t leave your family feeling like they’re eating in an institution.</p>
<p>Vegetarian Chili – With meat prices on the rise, any meal that doesn’t require a trip to your grocer’s meat department is sure to be easier on your pocketbook than its meaty contemporaries.  This scrumptious chili uses kidney beans as an alternative to hamburger.  Like any chili, its flavor can be adjusted to suit your family’s tastes by adding different spices.  </p>
<p>Beef &#038; Vegetable Stew – Although this meal idea doesn’t avoid meat entirely, this stew is still a great economical choice for dinner.  Because stew simmers for so long you can purchase a lower quality piece of meat to save money.  Then, simply cut the beef into smaller chunks, add it to an inexpensive package of mixed vegetables, and place the mixture into a Crockpot.  In a few hours you’ll have a tasty dish that your family will love.  </p>
<p>Soup – Soup is one of those flexible entrees that can be made of anything that you like.  This is a great way to use those leftover vegetables that are lurking in your refrigerator.  As an added plus, a steaming bowl of soup on a cold day can be just the thing to chase away the chill of winter.</p>
<p>The important thing to remember when trying to save money on your family’s groceries is to be creative.  If you find a recipe that interests you, don’t hesitate to tweak it with your family’s favorite ingredients.  And don’t forget to make extra and freeze it when you find a meal that works; you’ll be glad you did on those days when you’re pressed for time.  </p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/frugal-food-ideas-that-are-fast-and-inexpensive.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Food Ideas That Are Fast and Inexpensive">Frugal Food Ideas That Are Fast and Inexpensive</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/05/frugal-ideas-to-start-the-week.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Ideas To Start The Week">Frugal Ideas To Start The Week</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/festival-of-frugality-57-is-up.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Festival of Frugality #57 Is Up">Festival of Frugality #57 Is Up</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/12/cheap-toshiba-laptop.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Cheap Toshiba Laptop">Cheap Toshiba Laptop</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/06/book-review-shattering-the-two-income-myth.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Book Review:  Shattering The Two-Income Myth">Book Review:  Shattering The Two-Income Myth</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>10 Creative Recipes For Leftover Mashed Potatoes</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/11/10-creative-recipes-for-leftover-mashed-potatoes.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/11/10-creative-recipes-for-leftover-mashed-potatoes.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Nov 2007 19:37:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/11/10-creative-recipes-for-leftover-mashed-potatoes.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner yesterday and Iâ€™ve been busy today being creative with using up the leftovers.  Since we have quite a bit of mashed potatoes left over, Iâ€™ve been researching some delicious ways to use them up and thought I would share a few of my finds: 
1.  Tonight for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner yesterday and Iâ€™ve been busy today being creative with using up the leftovers.  Since we have quite a bit of mashed potatoes left over, Iâ€™ve been researching some delicious ways to use them up and thought I would share a few of my finds: </p>
<p>1.  Tonight for dinner I will be making <strong>Shepherd&#8217;s Pie</strong>.  I am going to be using ground turkey for the meat portion but really any meat combo will do.  Rachael Ray has a fairly easy and quick <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_22590,00.html">Shepherdâ€™s Pie Recipe</a> you may want to try out.  Bottom line - make some type of meat and vegetable combo, and top it with mashed potatoes and cheese.  Yum!</p>
<p>2.  <a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,178,132181-241197,00.html">Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole</a> is another way to use up those mashed potatoes and any other Thanksgiving related items.  I like the fact that this recipe also uses up the green bean casserole dish that so many like to enjoy on Thanksgiving Day.  </p>
<p>3.  If you are looking for a lighter dish then <a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/102745">mashed potato soup</a> might be a nice recipe to try.  This is a quick recipe too, taking about 25 minutes from start to finish.   </p>
<p>4.  <a href="http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/64/Mashed_Potato_Dumplings38710.shtml">Mashed Potato Dumplings</a> would be a nice treat too, especially if you have leftover gravy you can use as a dipping sauce.  </p>
<p>5.  Leftover mashed potatoes can be used in several breakfast dishes as well.  Here is a nifty little recipe for a <a href="http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/1069/Baked-Mashed-Potato-Omelet102832.shtml">mashed potato omelet</a>.  </p>
<p>6.  <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_29192,00.html">Mashed Potato Patties</a> would be great for dinner or breakfast.  I watched Michael Chiarello make these today on the Food Network Channel.  They didn&#8217;t look too difficult to make and looked delicious.  He served them along side some turkey/cranberry/stuffing panini sandwiches which looked so good I wished I had enough leftovers to make them!</p>
<p>7.  If you&#8217;re tired of anything turkey related, then maybe <a href="http://busycooks.about.com/od/leftoverbeefrecipes/r/italianbeefroll.htm">Beef Rolls Italiano</a> might sound appealing.  </p>
<p>8.  Here is another <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_17533,00.html?rsrc=like">creative mashed potato recipe using eggs</a>.  This one looks good enough for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  </p>
<p>9.  If you are in the mood for fish, then perhaps <a href="http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/072606/lif_072606034.shtml">salmon croquettes</a> might be a good way to use up those leftover mashed potatoes.  This recipe looks easy and quick.  </p>
<p>10.  Finally, <a href="http://www.hugs.org/Mashed_Potato_Rolls.shtml">mashed potato rolls</a> can be made and they only require 1 cup of leftover mashed potatoes.  </p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/07/frugal-food-leftover-ham-recipe.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Food:  Leftover Ham Recipe">Frugal Food:  Leftover Ham Recipe</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/11/griddle-recipes.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Griddle Recipes">Griddle Recipes</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/09/five-grocery-items-that-have-not-increased-in-price.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Five Grocery Items That Have Not Increased in Price">Five Grocery Items That Have Not Increased in Price</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/11/thanksgiving-turkey-dinner-trim-the-budget-without-forfeiting-taste.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner - Trim the Budget without Forfeiting Taste">Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner - Trim the Budget without Forfeiting Taste</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/11/my-secret-to-managing-my-thanksgiving-cooking.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: My Secret To Managing My Thanksgiving Cooking">My Secret To Managing My Thanksgiving Cooking</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Save Money On Food - Make A Pot Of Soup</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/08/save-money-on-food-make-a-pot-of-soup.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/08/save-money-on-food-make-a-pot-of-soup.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:37:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/08/save-money-on-food-make-a-pot-of-soup.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I love to stretch our food budget by making a pot of homemade soup.  I prefer the types of recipes where you just throw together whatever leftovers you have on hand.  If you keep a few staples on hand all the time, then a delicious pot of homemade soup is just minutes away! [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I love to stretch our food budget by making a pot of homemade soup.  I prefer the types of recipes where you just throw together whatever leftovers you have on hand.  If you keep a few staples on hand all the time, then a delicious pot of homemade soup is just minutes away!  It is so much healthier than store bought because you control the ingredients, especially the sodium and preservatives. </p>
<p>Last night for dinner I made one of our favorite soups - Italian Garden Soup.  I used 4 cups of chicken stock, 1 can of diced tomatoes flavored with basil and garlic, 1 cut up zucchini, 1 can of new potatoes diced and drained, and 1 can of green beans drained.  I add a few seasonings to taste and voila!  A great pot of soup that was dinner last night and will be lunch for today.  </p>
<p>Basically all you need to throw together a great pot of soup is chicken or beef stock, a few vegetables, meat or beans, and some spices.  Experiment with different combinations.  Here are some recipes to get you started: </p>
<p><a href="http://www.delmonte.com/Recipes/Recipe.asp">Easy Vegetable Soup</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1712,150191-248199,00.html">Homemade Chicken Crockpot Soup</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/31717">Copycat Recipe for Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,166,135176-249192,00.html">Broccoli Cheese Soup</a></p>
<p><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Jeans-Homemade-Chicken-Noodle-Soup/Detail.aspx">Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup</a></p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/05/a-lunch-for-every-day-of-the-work-week.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: A Lunch for Every Day of the Work Week">A Lunch for Every Day of the Work Week</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/02/dinner-ideas-on-the-cheap.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Dinner Ideas on the Cheap">Dinner Ideas on the Cheap</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/03/65th-festival-of-frugality-some-gems-of-wisdom.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: 65th Festival of Frugality - Some Gems Of Wisdom">65th Festival of Frugality - Some Gems Of Wisdom</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/07/budget-meal-recipe.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Budget Meal Recipe">Budget Meal Recipe</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/07/frugal-food-shopping-balancing-inexpensive-with-healthy.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Frugal Food Shopping:  Balancing Inexpensive with Healthy">Frugal Food Shopping:  Balancing Inexpensive with Healthy</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How to Create Restaurant Style Meals At Home (And Save A Bundle On Dining Out)</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/06/how-to-create-restaurant-style-meals-at-home-and-save-a-bundle-on-dining-out.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/06/how-to-create-restaurant-style-meals-at-home-and-save-a-bundle-on-dining-out.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:40:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/06/how-to-create-restaurant-style-meals-at-home-and-save-a-bundle-on-dining-out.html</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We save a lot of money in our household by preparing nearly all meals at home but that doesn&#8217;t mean we eat boring meals or the same old stuff.   I found that by preparing meals at home that are similar to our favorite restaurant entrees, we actually feel content, donâ€™t feel deprived by [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We save a lot of money in our household by preparing nearly all meals at home but that doesn&#8217;t mean we eat boring meals or the same old stuff.   I found that by preparing meals at home that are similar to our favorite restaurant entrees, we actually feel content, donâ€™t feel deprived by not &#8220;going out to eat&#8221;, and save money all at the same time.</p>
<p>One of our very favorite places to dine at is a local Mexican restaurant.  They have the best chicken soft tacos and serve huge baskets of tortilla chips with the meal.  I worked on perfecting the recipes for refried beans, Mexican rice, and the chicken soft tacos so the entire meal is very similar in taste and presentation to what we would purchase at the restaurant.  The only thing missing is the pinata, the Mariachi music, and, of course, the one hour wait to get a seat!</p>
<p>Here are some tips for replicating your favorite restaurant meal home at home:</p>
<p>Start with a list of foods from your favorite restaurant.  Detail all the things you like about it - the appetizer, salad, beverage, main course, dessert, and the presentation of the food.</p>
<p>Hit the internet and search for copycat recipes.  Use the name of the restaurant and the recipe name while searching online to get better results.  For example, try searching for â€œOlive Garden Recipesâ€ or even â€œOlive Garden Fettucine Recipe.â€</p>
<p>And if you are looking for Olive Garden recipes here are some that I&#8217;ve found:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.floras-hideout.com/recipes/og-ALL.html">Olive Garden Recipes</a>: They have a list of all the favorites here from the five cheese lasagna to shrimp primavera.  </p>
<p><a href="http://www.copykat.com/component/option,com_rapidrecipe/Itemid,28/page,viewrecipe/recipe_id,851/">Olive Garden Salad Dressing</a>.  </p>
<p><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/8596">Olive Garden Fettucini Recipe</a>.  </p>
<p><a href="http://www.floras-hideout.com/recipes/recipes.php?page=recipes&#038;data=o/Olive_Garden_Breadsticks">Olive Garden Breadstick Recipe</a>. </p>
<p>Once youâ€™ve found the recipes, practice making them until you are satisfied with the results.  Keep notes so youâ€™ll know approximate prep and cooking times, because you wonâ€™t be inclined to stay at home and eat if takes you forever to make the meal.  </p>
<p>After mastering the individual recipes, then create the entire restaurant styled meal at home including serving it in a similar fashion to the restaurant.  </p>
<p>Finally, calculate your savings by figuring the price of the meal at the restaurant versus the ingredients used to make the meal at home.  The money you save may encourage you to try duplicating more of your favorite restaurant meals.</p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/07/budget-meal-recipe.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Budget Meal Recipe">Budget Meal Recipe</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/02/dining-out-on-a-dime.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Dining Out On A Dime">Dining Out On A Dime</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2008/03/cook-your-way-to-a-healthy-budget.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Cook Your Way to a Healthy Budget">Cook Your Way to a Healthy Budget</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/06/saving-money-when-you-cook-at-home.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Saving Money When You Cook At Home">Saving Money When You Cook At Home</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/07/ways-to-save-money.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Ways To Save Money">Ways To Save Money</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Summertime Treats -  Homemade Popsicles</title>
		<link>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/06/the-art-of-homemade-popsicles.html</link>
		<comments>http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/06/the-art-of-homemade-popsicles.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:02:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dana Joseph</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Cooking At Home]]></category>
<category>concentrate</category><category>frozen orange juice</category><category>grocery costs</category><category>homemade popsicles</category><category>kool aid</category><category>orange creamsicle</category><category>orange juice</category><category>popsicle recipes</category>
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		<description><![CDATA[With the heat of Summer here, my kids are always wanting a cool treat.  My solution to keep them happy while still keeping the grocery costs down is to make homemade popsicles.  I purchased a couple of popsicle molds at the dollar store and I have an assortment of ways that I make [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With the heat of Summer here, my kids are always wanting a cool treat.  My solution to keep them happy while still keeping the grocery costs down is to make homemade popsicles.  I purchased a couple of popsicle molds at the dollar store and I have an assortment of ways that I make the popsicles. </p>
<p>1.  Orange juice popsicles.  I fill the popsicle molds with orange juice.  These taste wonderful!  Sometimes I mix frozen orange juice concentrate with lemonade concentrate (adding the appropriate amounts of water) and make my popsicles with this mixture. </p>
<p>2.  Kool-Aid or fruit punch popsicle.  I try to buy any mix that is on sale.  Sometimes we combine different punch or kool-aid flavors.  Kids love to experiment with their favorite flavors!</p>
<p>3.  A juice and fruit pop.  You make these by using the blender and mixing orange juice with either canned/drained peaches or pears and then putting the mix into the popsicle molds.  I&#8217;ve even heard of people making popsicles from the leftover juice from canned fruit.</p>
<p>Other resources for homemade popsicles:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mormonchic.com/recipe/recipebox/pages/summer_treats.asp">Summer Popsicle Recipes</a> - Great recipe for a dripless popsicle!</p>
<p>For those who love strawberries, here is a recipe for a <a href="http://frugalliving.about.com/od/frugalfoodsrecipes/r/Strawberry_Pops.htm">homemade strawberry treat</a>.  </p>
<p><a href="http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/37/Frozen_Orange_Creamsicle57588.shtml">Frozen orange creamsicle pop </a>, <a href="http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/897/BerryYogurtPopsicles70103.shtml">Berry Yogurt Popsicles</a>,  and perfect for the 4th of July, <a href="http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/36/Rocket_Pops53589.shtml">Rocket Pops</a>!</p>
<p>Tagged:</p>
<p>---<br />Related Articles at Not Made Of Money:<ul><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/08/save-money-on-food-make-a-pot-of-soup.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Save Money On Food - Make A Pot Of Soup">Save Money On Food - Make A Pot Of Soup</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/12/homemade-gift-basket-ideas.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: 15 Homemade Gift Basket Ideas To Stretch Your Gift Budget">15 Homemade Gift Basket Ideas To Stretch Your Gift Budget</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/11/saving-on-christmas-decorations.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Saving on Christmas Decorations">Saving on Christmas Decorations</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/01/homemade-valentine-gifts.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Homemade Valentine Gifts">Homemade Valentine Gifts</a></li><li><a href="http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2007/04/the-69th-edition-of-festival-of-frugality-a-week-of-frugal-fun.html" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: The 69th Edition Of Festival of Frugality - A Week of Frugal Fun">The 69th Edition Of Festival of Frugality - A Week of Frugal Fun</a></li></ul></p><br />]]></content:encoded>
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